CurrentReport Blog The Coalition of Democrats in Africa (CoDA) has sharply condemned the National Assembly’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a “shameful endorsement of executive lawlessness.” The pro-democracy group has warned that this action sets a “dangerous precedent” for Nigeria’s future, which will haunt the nation for years to come.
The statement, which was issued by CoDA’s president, Ambassador Ibrahim Mustapha, followed an emergency meeting convened in Abuja on Thursday. In the release, CoDA accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas of failing in their constitutional duty to check the excesses of the executive arm of government. The group also criticized the National Assembly for abandoning its independence and acting as a mere tool in the hands of the presidency.
An Assault on Democracy
The coalition’s primary objection to the state of emergency in Rivers State is centered on the suspension of the democratically elected governor, his deputy, and the entire state House of Assembly. CoDA described these actions as a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy, highlighting the grave implications of allowing such executive overreach to go unchecked.
According to the group, the National Assembly had a historic opportunity to stand as a pillar of democracy but instead chose to “rubber-stamp” what they termed an “illegal and undemocratic” action by President Tinubu. CoDA argued that by endorsing the state of emergency, Senate President Akpabio, Speaker Abbas, and other lawmakers betrayed not only the Nigerian people but also the essence of constitutional governance in the country.
“The National Assembly had a historic opportunity to stand on the side of democracy, but instead, it chose to rubber-stamp an illegal and undemocratic action by the President,” the statement read. “By endorsing this unconstitutional act, Akpabio, Abbas, and their colleagues have betrayed not only the Nigerian people but also the very essence of constitutional governance.”
The Impact on Nigeria’s Democracy
CoDA emphasized that the implications of the National Assembly’s endorsement of the state of emergency in Rivers extend far beyond the state itself. According to the group, this represents a serious threat to the future of democracy in Nigeria. The coalition warned that if elected officials in the National Assembly can stand idly by while an elected governor, deputy governor, and an entire state assembly are removed without due process, then no state in Nigeria is safe, and the very foundation of the country’s democracy is at risk.
“This is not just about Rivers State. It is about the very soul of our democracy,” the statement declared. “If lawmakers can sit back and watch an elected governor, deputy governor, and an entire state assembly removed without due process, then no state is safe, and no democracy is secure.”
CoDA also pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that while Nigerian communities in the North have been ravaged by terrorism and criminal activity for years, no state of emergency has been declared in those regions. The group suggested that the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State—where a political crisis could have been resolved through dialogue and legal means—was driven by political motives rather than genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians.
A Call for Accountability
In its statement, CoDA called on Nigerians and the international community to resist what it described as an “assault on constitutional governance.” The group urged citizens to remain vigilant and demand the restoration of constitutional order, warning that the National Assembly’s failure to act could have dire consequences for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The National Assembly may have failed us, but the people of Nigeria must not fail themselves,” the statement read. “We must remain vigilant, speak out, and demand the restoration of constitutional order before it is too late.”
CoDA also reminded lawmakers that their actions would be judged by history. The group warned that those who had betrayed Nigeria’s democratic values would not be forgotten by the Nigerian people.
“We remind Akpabio, Abbas, and all lawmakers complicit in this betrayal that power is transient. Nigerians will not forget those who stood against democracy when it mattered most,” the statement concluded.
The condemnation from CoDA underscores the growing concerns among pro-democracy groups and citizens about the increasing executive overreach in Nigeria. By endorsing President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the National Assembly has set a troubling precedent that could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy. As calls for accountability grow louder, Nigerians must remain vigilant and continue to demand the restoration of constitutional order in the country.
